Looking for a great place to eat in Marbella?
Let me introduce you to Manuka restaurant, a local gem I discovered on my recent trip to Marbella.
Manuka Restaurant
If you’re visiting Marbella, you might be overwhelmed by the number of restaurants catering to all sorts of tastes – there are tapas restaurants, Italian restaurants, traditional Spanish ones and everything in between.
It sometimes feels like a victory of quantity over quality, as it’s often the case with popular holiday destinations.
I have a few local favourites when I’m in Marbella, but on this trip, I’m so happy I ventured out and tried this place – it truly delivered on what it promises.
Manuka is based on the concept of locally sourced ingredients, free from additives, chemicals and preservatives, prepared freshly and focused mostly on plant-based cuisine. I know how it could sound – don’t let that put you off – healthy food can be extremely delicious if done well, as it’s the case here.
Let me show you around a bit!
The Location
Just a short walk away from the Marbella Marina, you will see the old Centro Comercial Plaza del Mar. It looks like the place is closed down and the building is completely run down until you spot a little restaurant terrace shaded by the palm trees on the ground floor.
I have passed this place many times and never noticed it as it’s tucked away at a lower ground, with a few chairs on their terrace by the Paseo Maritimo.
Location on the map here:
Manuka has three other locations in Marbella, but this one I think has the best views (not just sea views, but it’s also great for people-watching).
In case if you’re wondering where else to find them, here are the other locations: Centro Comercial La Cañada, Carretera de Ojen SN, second one at Hotel Alanda Boulevard Principe Alfonso Von Hohenlohe, and last one in Puerto Banus at Centro Comercial Marina Banus, Calle Ramón Areces.
The Restaurant
Manuka restaurant is set out in three different areas, the indoors, the lower terrace and the uppper terrace that’s overlooking Paseo Maritimo.
The seats by Paseo Maritimo (coastal pathway) tend to get filled up the first, but I really enjoyed sitting on one of their comfy sofas shaded by the palm trees. The lower terrace is much more peaceful with more seating options available.
We were served very quickly by attentive and friendly staff who spoke very good English (always a bonus in Spain!).
Scroll down for details of the food!
The Food
The food is really what makes this place stand out from the rest of the restaurants in Marbella.
Focused heavily on plant-based options, but not leaving meat-eaters stranded either, the key to their success is sustainably sourced clean ingredients showcased in simple yet effective dishes.
In addition to the quality of the food, I was also pleasantly surprised by the unique ingredients that so rarely make an appearance on the local menus, like cashew cheese, turmeric, Halloumi cheese, kale chips and probiotic yoghurt.
As the name suggests, the menu offers a feast of healthy dining options and traditional dishes with a healthy twist. You can check their full menu here.
Below is a selection of dishes we tried – we went first for lunch and then returned the next day for breakfast too.
Hope you enjoy this virtual tour and that I didn’t make you too hungry!
Manuka is certainly one of the places I will be looking forward to returning to on my next trip, and I hope you pay them a visit too!
Manuka Restaurant Details
Location: Centro Comercial Plaza del Mar, Calle Camilo José Cela SN, 29602, Marbella
Opening hours: Monday to Sunday, 9.30 am to 17.00 pm. Breakfast is served all day.
Parking: they offer 1-hour free parking in the commercial centre with your purchase
Contact: use their contact form here
Most Popular Experiences in Marbella
- Gibraltar Day Trip with Pick up from Marbella – see the Gibraltar monkeys in the nature reserve and enjoy free time for duty free shopping!
- Day Trip from Marbella to Morrocco – experience the African continent with an easy and affordable day trip directly from Marbella!
- Marbella: Tour of the Old Town with Tapas & Wine – a treat for all your senses, experience the culinary side of Marbella with a local guide.
- Marbella: Catamaran Tour with Dolphin Watching – see Marbella’s coastline on board of a modern catamaran, and if you’re lucky you will have dolphins for company!
- Day Trip from Marbella to Granada with Tour of Alhambra Palace – marvel at the beauty of ancient Alhambra, and enjoy free time to discover Granada.
- Full Day Trip to Cordoba with Mosque Entrance Tickets – enjoy a trip to the heart of Andalusia and admire one of the most famous churches in Spain, the Mosque Cathedral of Cordoba.
- Day trip from Marbella to Ronda and Setenil de las Bodegas – one of the most beautiful towns of Andalusia is within your reach with this short and affordable day trip from Marbella.
Explore More in Marbella
The Best for Tapas: Taverna Casa Blanca, Marbella
How to Get from Malaga to Marbella
Your Guide to Plaza de los Naranjos: The Orange Square in Marbella
Jungle in the City: Alameda Park in Marbella
Southern Spain Travel Planning Guide
Is it safe to drive in Spain?
YES! The roads in Southern Spain are generally in very good condition, with modern highways connecting the biggest cities. To rent a car, I highly recommend Discover Cars, which will get you the best deals on your car rental for your trip.
WHAT IF I DON’T WANT TO DRIVE?
PUBLIC TRANSPORT — Southern Spain has a well-established and modern network of trains and buses. To get the cheapest bus or train tickets, take a look at Omio to find the timetables and prices.
DAY TRIPS — If you don’t like the hassle of using public transport, local travel companies offer many day trip options from almost all the destinations in Southern Spain. You can check them out here.
WHERE SHOULD I BOOK MY ACCOMMODATION?
BOOKING.COM — I have been using booking.com for all my trips in Spain and abroad, and have never had any negative experiences. Their reviews are very accurate and you get the best deals even on apartments, not just hotels.
ARE THERE LUGGAGE STORE OPTIONS IN THE CITIES?
YES — If you would like to leave your luggage behind to explore the city on your last day, before heading to the airport, you can use Radical Storage service, which lets you book luggage storage options in almost all the destinations in Southern Spain.
DO I NEED TO BUY A LOCAL SIM CARD FOR THIS TRIP?
YES – You can, of course, use your own card if you have roaming data available. If you want to avoid surprising extra charges from your operator, you can use a service like Airalo, where you can buy digital packs for e-sim cards, avoiding the hassle of sourcing local physical sim cards and extra roaming charges anywhere you go.
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links – if you decide to book using one of the links, I will earn a small commission that helps me run this site. This is at no extra cost to you.
